On the same day that Argath received Cornelius' package, the merchant-ship that her half-sister had been travelling on, finally reached its destination.
"Well, my Lady" the Captain said. "This is where we part ways. I wish you the best of luck."
"The Same to you, Captain" Merees replied. "May all Deities of Sea and Weather look upon your ship with favor."
She held out a graceful hand, which the Captain took in one of his flippers and kissed.
While the crew unloaded the cargo, the passengers disembarked. Once back on dry land, Kyros, whose wounds were now completely healed, turned to Merees and asked if she had any instructions.
"Find a place where you and your men can set up shop" the dragon said, handing the mountain-lion a pouch filled with coins. "In the meantime, Risha and I will be making a courtesy call at the palace."
As she and Merees trod the cobblestone streets, Risha thought back on what she knew about the country in which they currently found themselves:
Unlike most countries, the people in it worshiped only one deity: The Sun, which they viewed as female and the mother of all. Mothers in general were revered throughout this realm, since the ability to give birth was considered definite proof of the superiority of the female sex.
Makes sense, you may think. So, what about women who were unable to bear children, or choose not to have any? I'm afraid that they were not granted the same respect, with the latter being outright shunned.
As for women such as Risha herself? The Official policy of the country's government was that they simply did not exist.
Which meant that, as long as they were here, there could be no public displays of affection between Merees and herself, not even something as innocent as holding hands. For the duration of their stay, Risha would play the role of Merees' servant and nothing more.
There were no guards posted outside the palace walls. Instead, the lynx and the dragon found their way barred by an imposing metal gate. Risha went up and knocked on it. Immediately, a hatch slid open and two eyes peered out suspiciously.
"Who goes there?" A voice demanded. "State your business."
"Tell the Queen Mother that a kinswoman of hers from distant lands seek audience with her!" Merees called out in response.
The hatch shut and, from the other side of the gate, sounds of footsteps retreating could be heard.
The Minutes crawled past with the speed of an unhurried snail. Then, the gate swung open and a tortoise, carrying a staff taller than himself, appeared.
"The Queen Mother has decided to grant you an audience" announced tortoise . "You may both enter the palace grounds."
"Finally" Risha sighed. "Well, then, take us to your leader."
She took a step forward, only to find her way blocked by the tortoise's staff.
"What's the meaning of this?" Merees asked. "You said..."
"I said that the Queen Mother will see you", replied tortoise. "Alone".
****
While waiting for Merees to return, Risha decided to explore the grounds. She went down a stairway and found herself in the palace garden. As she walked through the garden, occasionally stopping to smell a flower, the lynx's appearance caught the attention of several passers-by. One of them came up and, having introduced himself, asked her, with great politeness, if she wanted to go somewhere private.
Gagging on the inside, Risha, with equal politeness, declined. Then, so as to not arouse any suspicions, she explained that she was engaged and that she would only let her fiance touch her. Hence the short-sword that hung by her side.
After that, she was left in peace.
Feeling thirsty all of a sudden, the lynx stopped and drank from a fountain. As she did, she heard a voice behind her, calling her name.
Risha's ears twitched and she frowned confusedly. Though unmistakably female, the voice was not Merees', but who else knew she was here? Perhaps she had just misheard?
"Excuse me" the voice insisted. "You are Risha, aren't you? From Vinoli?"
This time, there was no mistaking it. Risha turned around.
Standing in front of her was a ferret, wearing blue dress, decorated with a pin shaped like a dragon's head. A purse hung from a belt around her waist.
I know this, person, Risha thought to herself.
"That's me" she said out-loud, tasking her mind with trying to remember the other's name.
"I knew it!" The Ferret exclaimed giddily. "At first, I thought I was mistaken, but no. Do you remember me, Risha? I'm..."
..."Alys!" Risha's exclaimed, snapping her fingers. "We were at St. Alma's together."
"That's right" Alys said. "It's great to see you again" she added, reaching out and taking Risha's paws in her own.
"Likewise."
Truth be told, Alys' enthusiasm over their reunion left Risha somewhat perplexed. It was true that they had both been at St. Alma's, but they had belonged to different houses and had not had much to do with one another. In fact, their most memorable interaction had been when Alys had made a comment about Risha when the latter had been within earshot. As a consequence of that comment, the lynx had been sent to the principal's office and the ferret had been led away to the school's infirmary, a handkerchief pressed to her bleeding cheek.
Not even a decade had passed since that incident, but to Risha it seemed as if it belonged to the distant past, or something that had happened to two different people.
Well, isn't the case? The Lynx mused. After all, I'm no longer the girl I was and neither is she, evidently. Wonder what our past selves would see if they saw us now?
Alys' voice brought Risha back to the present.
"I'm sorry" she apologized "what did you say?"
"I said that everyone at St. Alma's were surprised when you did not come back for your last year. May I ask, why you dropped out?"
"It's... complicated" replied Risha. "I'm sorry, but I do not wish to talk about it."
"Very well, I won't insist. Though you can tell me what you have been doing since then, can't you?"
Risha shrugged.
"I belong to a band of professional adventurers. Lately, we've been working for a person of noble birth, that's all I can say for the moment."
"How exciting! So, that's why you carry that sword. Tell me, has it seen much use?"
"Some. What about you? How did you end up here?"
"I'm attached to the Vinolian embassy, as a junior diplomat."
It was evident from Alys' voice that she took a great deal of pride in her position and Risha obliged her by looking suitably impressed.
"I doubt its as exciting as the life you must lead", the ferret hastened to add. "But, it has its perks."
"I can imagine. So, how long have you had this job?"
"Since I finished school. I was approached by two employees of the Crown. They had had me under observation during my time at St. Alma's and had come to offer me a position. It sounded more interesting than joining the family-business like my brother, so I decided to accept and here I am."
"Do you miss Vinoli?"
"I do, but I take solace in the fact that I'm serving my country. My apologies, of course, I meant 'our country'."
Just then, their conversation was interrupted by a deep voice calling out Alys' name. Moments later, the two women were joined by another ferret, this one a male.
"This is my betrothed, Grahm" Alys explained, clinging to the newcomer's arm. "Grahm, this is Risha, one of my old schoolmates"
"Yes, you've mentioned her before" Grahm replied. He gave Risha a searching look, which made the lynx wonder what exactly Alys had told him about her? Could she have mentioned that one time? "Jeraddin's daughter. Right?"
"That's right", Risha said, taking the paw that was extended to her. "I take it you're a junior diplomat as well?"
"I am." Grahm turned to Alys. "Actually, that's why I came to get you. We have been summoned to an emergency meeting."
"Emergency meeting? What for?"
"No idea. All I can say is that its in the Eastern Pavilion."
"I guess duty calls" Alys sighed. " She reached into her purse and took out a small card, which she handed to Risha. "Our address is written on it" she explained. "Feel free to stop by when you have the time. I'd love to catch up some more and for you tell me about your adventures. Well, bye for now."
"Bye" Risha said, glancing at the card. She had only listened with half an ear to what Alys had said; her thoughts had been elsewhere.
Could this emergency meeting have something to do with Merees' audience with the Queen Mother? Something told the lynx that this might very well be the case.
Anyway, there was only one way to find out for sure.
